The family history of Adolf Hitler—one of the most infamous figures of the 20th century—is rooted in a network of European rural families whose lives, marriages, and movements shaped the ancestry of the future dictator. The chart reveals three major ancestral branches: the Hiedler/Hitler line, the Schicklgruber line, and the Raubal/Heidemann line, alongside lesser-known relatives and suspected descendants.
1. The Early Lineage: Hiedler, Huettler, and Schicklgruber Families
The earliest generations trace back to families living in small Austrian villages in the 17th–18th centuries.
Huettler & Hiedler Branch
- Early ancestors such as Mattheus, Hans, Stephan, Johannes, and Georg Huettler appear in the tree.
- Parallel to them is the Hiedler (or Hüttler/Hitler) line, including Johann Georg Hiedler and Johann Nepomuk.
These names are central to Hitler’s paternal ancestry.
Schicklgruber Branch
- On Hitler’s grandmother’s side is the Schicklgruber family, represented by Maria Anna Schicklgruber.
- She later married into the Hiedler line, creating the genealogical bridge that leads to Hitler’s father.
2. The Parents of Adolf Hitler: Alois Hitler and Klara Pölzl
The tree highlights the complex parentage of Alois Hitler (1837–1903).
Alois Hitler
- Born Alois Schicklgruber, he was later legitimized and adopted the surname Hitler, derived from the Hiedler family.
- The chart shows his multiple relationships and children from different wives.
Klara Pölzl (1860–1907)
- Hitler’s mother, coming from the Pölzl and Polzl side of the family.
- She was related to Alois, which reflects the intermarrying common in rural European communities of the time.
Together, Alois and Klara had several children:
- Gustav (1885–1887)
- Ida (1886–1888)
- Otto (died in infancy)
- Edmund (1894–1900)
- Paula Hitler (1896–1960)
- Adolf Hitler (1889–1945)
Only Paula and Adolf survived into adulthood.
3. Adolf Hitler: The Central Figure (1889–1945)
The chart places Adolf Hitler prominently, showing him as the second-to-last surviving child of Alois and Klara.
He never married or had confirmed biological children.
4. The Braun Connection: Eva Braun
The tree includes Eva Braun (1912–1945), Hitler’s long-time companion and, briefly, his wife in the final hours of their lives.
She is shown on a separate dotted line, indicating her relationship connection rather than blood lineage.
5. The Raubal and Heidemann Branches: Hitler’s Half-Relatives
Through Alois Hitler’s other marriages and relationships, the chart shows extended half-siblings:
Alois Hitler Jr. (1882–1956)
- Son of Alois Sr. and Franziska Matzelsberger.
- Married Hedwig Heidemann, producing:
- Heinrich Hitler (1920–1942)
- Alois Jr.’s daughter Angela Maria (1922–2009)
Angela Hitler (1883–1949)
Daughter of Alois Sr. and second wife Anna Glasl-Hörer.
- She married Leo Raubal Sr., leading to the Raubal branch, including:
- Leo Raubal Jr. (1906–1977)
- Geli Raubal (1908–1931) — famously close to Hitler
- Elfriede Maria (1910–1993)
These individuals are Hitler’s half-nephews and nieces.
6. The Stuart-Houston Line (Suspected Descendants)
The chart includes William Patrick Stuart-Houston (1911–1987), son of Alois Jr., making him Hitler’s half-nephew.
His children—Howard Ronald, Alexander Adolf, Louis, and Brian William—appear at the bottom.
These men are known for their strict privacy and for choosing not to continue their family line. They are not descendants of Adolf Hitler, but part of the extended paternal family.
7. Summary of Key Family Lines
Maternal Line
- Pölzl family, including Klara and her ancestors.
Paternal Line
- A mix of:
- Hiedler/Hitler
- Schicklgruber
- Huettler
Extended Lines
- Raubal family
- Heidemann family
- Stuart-Houston descendants of Alois Jr.
Conclusion
The Hitler family tree reveals a complex network of rural Austrian families whose interwoven relationships shaped the ancestry of Adolf Hitler. The chart makes it clear that Hitler’s lineage involved multiple marriages, blended families, and surname changes—particularly the transition from Schicklgruber to Hitler, a shift that would ironically become one of the most recognizable names in modern history.
This structured family tree not only maps out Hitler’s origins but also highlights how ordinary and unremarkable his ancestry was before his rise to global infamy.
